Conservative or Liberal, Deist or Pagan, Jersey transplant or Lehigh Valley native, we're all in this mess together. Let's talk. Let us do no harm. Today's one-liner: "The shortest way to the distinguishing excellence of any writer is through his hostile critics." Richard LeGallienne

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Monday, October 26, 2015

LVIA Exec Director Wants Wife to Take over Legal Reins

It's a busy time. There's a federal investigation into pay-to-play in Allentown, which might just be what's needed to stop the rampant crony capitalism in the Queen City. Bethlehem merchants are rightfully worried about a third and publicly subsidized downtown at Martin Tower. Bethlehem Township is pondering a 37.6% tax hike. A landfill has dumped $95,600 in a brazen attempt to buy Lower Saucon Township Council. Elections are just eight days away. It's a perfect time to slip something under everyone's nose. That's exactly what is happening at the Lehigh-Northampton Airport Authority.

Its top heavy 15-member board is meeting this Tuesday at, of all places, the very posh Saucon Valley Country Club. A "haven" for most of its blueblood members, it's billed as "one of the largest private clubs in North America." Initiation fees start at around $30,000 for a higher-end memberships.

I suppose the unwashed masses will have to be admitted if they can figure out where the Weyhill Guest House is located.

When business is concluded, members are supposed to have a "retreat" for "strategic planning"

Now I have no problem with board members disguising some sort of golf outing as a retreat. I do have a problem when they also plan to conduct a full blown meeting before doing whatever it is that bluebloods do. And I really have a problem when one of the things planned at this meeting is switching legal teams.

It appears that Executive Director Charles Everett is trying to squeeze out Bethlehem-based Florio Perruucci and replace it with a firm more to his own liking. Or should I say his wife's liking?

Everett was on a team of three that sought proposals from nine different law firms for legal services, including pay-to-play forms like King Spry and Norris, McLaughlin and Marcus. Now of course, everyone was judged by "objective" criterion, all of which are rated subjectively. Everett made sure that the highest score, as you can see in the ratings of all nine firms here, went to a law firm called Barclay Damon.

Did I mention that Everett's wife, Jean Everett, is "of counsel" at that firm?

No conflict there.

What's really ironic about this is that Everett used this firm, without a formal board vote, to determine that there were all kinds of conflicts at the airport authority. That ridiculous conclusion was correctly disputed by the current Solicitor, Florio Perruucci. It was a red herring designed to force some board members out.

Now, the very same firm that found conflicts everywhere sees no appearance of impropriety if the Board hires a firm where the Executive Director's wife is "of counsel."

But BernieIsn's this club private? Do they even have to reveal minutes? And while you're talking about good government, did you see the story about a Sheriff sale property bought by a couple for their future home being taken by Upper Saucon government. If this couple's land can be taken, aren't all of us at risk?

wow this is pretty bad. how does this stuff continue to happen? this should be stopped. Everett can get in real trouble here. this is a real not perceived conflivt. there is no way charles should have been part of the evaluation and honestly the law firm she is "of counsel" for really should not even have a chance to bid.

another scam coming from an over bloated Govt entity. this is as shocking as water is wet. Yet people , for some reason, keep voting for bigger Govt, more Govt and so on. this is what you get when you keep pushing and voting for more govt. once again, it doesn't matter what party is involved, most politicians and hack Govt workers, are on the take in one form or another. the track record of LVIA is nothing to be proud about...

the airport, both director and board, seem to make one bad decision after another. Although it's vastly underused, they keep expanding and modernizing, for no apparent gain. currently, they plan on building a new center for rental cars, away from the current location by baggage, Why? to inconvenience the few customers they have? while they build unneeded new features, they increase parking rates. it's almost as if there is an intention to make the airport fail.